Method of and apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate and glass-plate working apparatus having the apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate includes: a supporting base for supporting a glass plate; a pair of removing devices for removing a film layer on the glass plate; a transporting device for transporting the glass plate; and a control unit for defining in a divided manner a region of a film layer to be removed by the pair of removing devices and for causing the pair of removing devices to concurrently effect removal of the film layer on the glass plate in an apportioned manner with respect to divided regions defined in the divided manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus forremoving a film layer on a glass plate for removing a film layer formedon one surface of a glass plate which is used as laminated glass or thelike for a window of an automobile or as double glazing or the like fora window of a general building, as well as a glass-plate workingapparatus having that apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Laminated glass having the function of shielding heat rays,ultraviolet rays, visible rays, or the like is formed such that filmlayers for shielding heat rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, or thelike are respectively formed on one surfaces of two glass plates bysputtering (metallic deposition) and are inwardly opposed to each other,and pressure, heat, and the like are applied to the two glass plateswith a polyvinyl butyral sheet placed therebetween, thereby bonding thefilm layers and the polyvinyl butyral sheet. However, since the filmlayers and the polyvinyl butyral sheet are difficult to bond to eachother, the state of their bonding is likely to become incomplete, andmoisture, air, and the like can possibly enter peripheral portions ofthe laminated glass where the state of bonding is incomplete.Consequently, the polyvinyl butyral sheet becomes oxidized and undergoescolor development and change. Accordingly, there is a need to remove thefilm layers at the peripheral portions so as to bond the glass platesand the polyvinyl butyral sheet which are easily bonded to each other.Meanwhile, double glazing having the function of shielding heat rays,ultraviolet rays, visible rays, or the like is formed such that filmlayers are respectively formed on one surfaces of two glass plates andare inwardly opposed to each other, and in order to obtain ahermetically sealed state between them, spacers are inserted between andbonded to the two glass plates at their peripheral portions by means ofa pressure-sensitive adhesive elastic material (hereafter referred to asbutyl rubber) formed of butyl and Thiokol (trade name). However, sincethe film layers and the butyl rubber are difficult to bond to eachother, the state of their bonding is likely to become incomplete, andmoisture and the like can possibly enter those portions where the stateof bonding is incomplete, making it impossible to maintain thehermetically sealed state. Consequently, the heat insulating effectdeteriorates appreciably, and water droplets and the like can occur onthe film layers. Therefore, there is a need to remove the film layers atthe peripheral portions so as to bond the glass plates and the butylrubber which are easily bonded to each other.

[0005] In conjunction with the trend of automation of the motor vehicletraffic system in recent years, for example, automatic collection of atoll and the like is planned to be implemented in which an informationrecording medium such as a card is set on the windshield glass side in avehicle, and the relevant information is automatically read from outsidethe vehicle by light rays for reading the information recorded on thecard or the like. However, in the case where the film layers forshielding heat rays, ultraviolet rays, or the like are formed in thewindshield glass of the vehicle, the transmittance of the reading lightrays declines when the light rays are transmitted through the filmlayers, so that it is difficult to always reliably read the informationrecorded on the card or the like. Further, a stop lamp is provided onthe rear window glass side inside a vehicle so as to rouse the attentionof a following vehicle when a vehicle during traveling undergoesdeceleration, stopping, or the like. However, in the case where the filmlayers (particularly dark-colored film layers) are formed in the rearwindow glass, when the light rays emitted from the stop lamp aretransmitted through the film layers, the transmittance of the light raysdeclines. Hence, it is impossible to rouse sufficient attention of thefollowing vehicle, and there is a risk of leading to a traffic accidentsuch as a collision from behind. Accordingly, there is a need to enhancethe transmittance of such light rays by removing (cutting off) the filmlayers in regions where the reading light rays and the light rays of thestop lamp are transmitted.

[0006] For the above reasons, regions and portions for which the filmlayers in the glass plates need to be removed are tending to increase.

[0007] Incidentally, in the case of removing a film layer for shieldingheat rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, or the like, which is formedon one surface of a glass plate used for a vehicle, a general building,or the like for the purpose of maintenance of health, improvement ofcomfort, securing of privacy, and the like, the film layer in a specificregion of the glass plate is conventionally removed while numericallycontrolling the movement of one removing head.

[0008] However, since the regions and portions for which the film layersin the glass plates need to be removed are tending to increase, asdescribed above, a long time is required for removing the film layers inpredetermined regions of the glass plates in a case where the singleremoving head is used. Hence, the improvement of productivity of theseglass plates has been difficult, and has been a problem particularly inthe working of window glass for motor vehicles for which highproductivity is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been devised in view of theabove-described aspects, and its object is to provide a method of and anapparatus for removing a film layer in a specific region of a glassplate in a short time, and a glass-plate working apparatus having thatapparatus.

[0010] To this end, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention,there is provided a method of removing a film layer on a glass plate,comprising the steps of: defining in a divided manner a region of a filmlayer to be removed on a glass plate; and concurrently effecting removalof the film layer on the glass plate in an apportioned manner withrespect to respective divided regions defined in the divided manner.

[0011] In the method of removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, the region of the film layer to beremoved on the glass plate is preferably defined in a divided manner inaccordance with at least any one of conditions including its area,shape, and removal time.

[0012] According to the method of removing a film layer on a glass platein accordance with the invention, since the region of the film layer tobe removed on the glass plate is defined in a divided manner, preferablydefined in a divided manner in accordance with at least any one ofconditions including its area, shape, and removal time, and the removalof the film layer on the glass plate is concurrently effected in anapportioned manner with respect to divided regions defined in thedivided manner, the film layer in a specific region of the glass platecan be removed in a short time.

[0013] In the method of removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, the region of the film layer to beremoved on the glass plate may preferably be defined in the dividedmanner such that areas of the respective divided regions assume mutuallysubstantially identical areas, or such that durations of removal timefor removing the film layer in the respective divided regions are set tomutually substantially identical durations. Since the region of the filmlayer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided mannersuch that areas of the respective divided regions assume mutuallysubstantially identical areas, or such that durations of removal timefor removing the film layer in the respective divided regions are set tomutually substantially identical durations, the respective operations ofremoving the film layer in the regions to be removed on the glass platecan be effected in a mutually complementary manner. Thus, the film layerin a specific region of the glass plate can be removed in a short time.

[0014] In the method of removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, a position at which the removal of thefilm layer is started in each of the divided regions is preferablydetermined in accordance with the shape of each of the divided regions.

[0015] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there isprovided an apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate,comprising: at least first and second removing means for removing a filmlayer on a glass plate, wherein a region of a film layer to be removedon a glass plate is defined in a divided manner, and with respect todivided regions defined in the divided manner the removal of the filmlayer on the glass plate is effected concurrently by being apportionedto the first and second removing means.

[0016] In the apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, the region of the film layer to beremoved on the glass plate is preferably defined in the divided mannerin accordance with at least any one of conditions including its area,shape, and removal time.

[0017] According to the apparatus for removing a film layer on a glassplate in accordance with the invention, since the region of the filmlayer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in a divided manner,preferably defined in a divided manner in accordance with at least anyone of conditions including its area, shape, and removal time, and theremoval of the film layer on the glass plate is apportioned to the firstand second removing means and is concurrently effected by these means inan apportioned manner with respect to divided regions defined in thedivided manner, the film layer in a specific region of the glass platecan be removed in a short time.

[0018] In the apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, the region of the film layer to beremoved on the glass plate may preferably be defined in the dividedmanner such that areas of the respective divided regions assume mutuallysubstantially identical areas, or the region of the film layer to beremoved on the glass plate may be defined in the divided manner suchthat durations of removal time for removing the film layer in therespective divided regions are set to mutually substantially identicaldurations. Since the region of the film layer to be removed on the glassplate is defined in the divided manner such that areas of the respectivedivided regions assume mutually substantially identical areas, or suchthat durations of removal time for removing the film layer in therespective divided regions are set to mutually substantially identicaldurations, the respective operations of removing the film layer in theregions to be removed on the glass plate by the first and secondremoving means can be effected in a mutually complementary manner. Thus,the film layer in a specific region of the glass plate can be removed ina short time.

[0019] In the apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention, a position at which the removal of thefilm layer is started in each of the divided regions by the first andsecond removal means is determined in accordance with the shape of eachof the divided regions. Since the position at which the removal of thefilm layer is started in each of the divided regions by the first andsecond removal means is determined in accordance with the shape of eachof the divided regions, the first and second removing means are able toremove the film layer on the glass plate smoothly without interferingwith or colliding against each other.

[0020] The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate inaccordance with the invention preferably further comprises: transportingmeans for transporting the glass plate, wherein the first and secondremoving means respectively have grinding wheels for grinding andremoving the film layer on the glass plate, the grinding wheels beingarranged on both sides of a path for transporting the glass plate by thetransporting means.

[0021] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there isprovided a glass-plate working apparatus comprising: the apparatus forremoving a film layer on a glass plate according to the second aspect ofthe invention; bend-breaking means for bend-breaking a glass plate whosefilm layer has been removed; grinding means for grinding peripheries ofthe glass plate bend-broken by the bend-breaking means; and transportingmeans for transporting the glass plate consecutively to the apparatusfor removing a film layer, the bend-breaking means, and the grindingmeans. Further, in this glass-plate working apparatus as well, the firstand second removing means may preferably be respectively comprised ofgrinding wheels for grinding and removing the film layer on the glassplate, the grinding wheels being arranged on both sides of a path fortransporting the glass plate by the transporting means.

[0022] According to the glass-plate working apparatus in accordance withthe invention, the removal of the film layer by the apparatus forremoving a film layer on a glass plate, the bend-breaking by thebend-breaking means of the glass plate whose film layer has beenremoved, and the grinding of the peripheries of the bend-broken glassplate by the grinding means can be effected concurrently. In addition,the removal of the film layer, bend-breaking, and grinding can beeffected in an integrated manner in a production line by a singleapparatus.

[0023] The bend-breaking means of the glass-plate working apparatus inaccordance with the invention preferably includes cutting means forforming a cut line for bend-breaking the glass plate whose film layerhas been removed and press-breaking means for press-breaking along thecut line the glass plate on which the cut line has been formed.

[0024] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view of an apparatus for removing afilm layer on a glass plate in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.1 with a transporting means omitted;

[0027]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view, taken in the direction of arrowsalong line III-III, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross sectional view, taken in thedirection of arrows along line IV-IV, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 5 is an explanatory front elevational view, partly insection, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view of a case in which thetransporting means of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is adapted totransport the glass plate in a Y direction;

[0031]FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.6; and

[0032]FIG. 8 is an explanatory fragmentary plan view of a glass-plateworking apparatus equipped with the apparatus for removing a film layeron a glass plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a detaileddescription will be given of the preferred embodiments of the invention.It should be noted that the invention is not limited to theseembodiments.

[0034] In FIGS. 1 to 5, an apparatus 1 for removing a film layer on aglass plate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention iscomprised of: a supporting table 16 for supporting a glass plate 2;removing means 4 and 5 for removing a film layer 3 on the glass plate 2supported on the supporting table 16; a placing table 80 on thecarrying-in side, the glass plate 2 whose film layer 3 is to be removedbeing placed on the placing table 80; a placing table (not shown) on thecarrying-out side, on which the glass plate 2 whose film layer 3 hasbeen removed is placed; a transporting means 6 for transporting theglass plate 2 so as to carry in the glass plate 2 placed on the placingtable 80 onto the supporting table 16, and so as to carry out the glassplate 2, whose film layer 3 has been removed by the removing means 4 and5, from the supporting table 16 and place the glass plate 2 on theplacing table on the carrying-out side; and a control unit (not shown),e.g., a numerical controller, for defining in a divided manner regions 7of the film layer 3 to be removed by the removing means 4 and 5 and forcausing the removing means 4 and 5 to concurrently effect the removal ofthe film layer 3 in an apportioned manner with respect to dividedregions 8 and divided regions 9 which have been defined in a dividedmanner.

[0035] The removing means 4 includes a removing head 11; an X-directionmoving device 13 for moving the removing head 11 in an X direction whichis parallel to one surface 12 of the glass plate 2; and a Y-directionmoving device 14 for moving the removing head 11 in a Y direction whichis perpendicular to the X direction and is parallel to one surface 12 ofthe glass plate 2. Meanwhile, the removing means 5 includes a removinghead 11 a; an X-direction moving device 13 a for moving the removinghead 11 a in the X direction; and a Y-direction moving device 15 formoving the removing head 11 a in the Y direction. The X-direction movingdevice 13 and the Y-direction moving device 14 are adapted to move theremoving head 11 in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively,i.e., move the removing head 11 in X-Y plane coordinates, while theX-direction moving device 13 a and the Y-direction moving device 15 areadapted to move the removing head 11 a in the X direction and the Ydirection, respectively, i.e., move the removing head 11 a in X-Y planecoordinates.

[0036] The removing heads 11 and 11 a in this embodiment are formed in amutually similar manner, and the X-direction moving devices 13 and 13 aare also formed in a mutually similar manner. Accordingly, a descriptionwill be given hereafter of the removing head 11 and the X-directionmoving device 13, and as for the removing head 11 a and the X-directionmoving device 13 a, a reference character ‘a’ will be added to thereference numerals of their component parts in the drawings, asrequired, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] The removing head 11 includes a disk-shaped grinding wheel 20; anelectric motor 21 for rotating the grinding wheel wheel 20; a swivelingmeans 22 for swiveling the grinding wheel 20; and an air cylinder unit23 for raising or lowering the grinding wheel 20. The electric motor 21is disposed such that the direction in which its output rotating shaftextends constantly coincides with a direction parallel to one surface 12of the glass plate 2, and is attached to a lower end of a spline shaft27, which will be described later, by means of a bracket 24. Thegrinding wheels 20 and 20 a are arranged on both sides of the path fortransporting the glass plate 2 by the transporting means 6.

[0038] The grinding wheel 20 is mounted on the output rotating shaft ofthe electric motor 21, and is adapted to rotate by using the outputrotating shaft as its axis. The grinding wheel 20 is adapted to grindand remove the film layer 3 by being brought into contact with the filmlayer 3 at a cylindrical outer periphery 25 of the grinding wheel 20 bythe actuation of the air cylinder unit 23 while the grinding wheel 20 isbeing rotated by the operation of the electric motor 21. It should benoted that the position of contact between the cylindrical outerperiphery 25 of the grinding wheel 20 and the film layer 3 is located ona swiveling axis extending in a Z direction which is perpendicular tothe X direction and the Y direction in which the grinding wheel 20 isswiveled by the swiveling means 22.

[0039] The swiveling means 22 has an electric motor 26 mounted on amovable base 32 which will be described later, and the spline shaft 27which also serves as an output rotating shaft of the electric motor 26.The spline shaft 27 is disposed in such a manner as to penetrate a rotorof the electric motor 26 and extend in the Z direction, and is splinedto the rotor of the electric motor 26 in such a manner as to bevertically movable with respect to the rotor. As the electric motor 26is operated, the spline shaft 27 rotates, and the grinding wheel 20attached to the lower end of the spline shaft 27 by means of the bracket24 and the electric motor 21, in turn, rotates, i.e., swivels.

[0040] A cylinder of the air cylinder unit 23 is attached to the movablebase 32 via the electric motor 26, and one end of a piston rod of theair cylinder unit 23 extending in the Z direction is coupled to an upperend of the spline shaft 27 by means of a thrust bearing or the like (notshown). As the air cylinder unit 23 is actuated, its piston rodvertically moves in the Z direction, which in turn causes the splineshaft 27 coupled to the piston rod to move vertically, thereby raisingor lowering the grinding wheel 20 via the bracket 24 attached to thelower end of the spline shaft 27 as well as the electric motor 21.Incidentally, as the means for raising or lowering the grinding wheel20, a hydraulic cylinder unit may be used instead of the above-describedair cylinder unit 23.

[0041] It should be noted that the removing head 11 may be arranged suchthat, as described in the specification of Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2000-007209, the electric motor 21 is mounted on the bracket 24 suchthat the output rotating shaft of the electric motor 21 extends in sucha manner as to be inclined toward a direction parallel to one surface 12of the glass plate 2 with respect to the Z direction, so that thegrinding wheel 20 is inclined toward a direction parallel to one surface12 of the glass plate 2 with respect to the Z direction.

[0042] The X-direction moving device 13 includes a movable frame 30extending in the X direction; a pair of guide rails 31 attached to themovable frame 30 and extending in the X direction; the movable base 32which is fitted to the guide rails 31 in such a manner as to be movablein the X direction and on which the removing head 11 is mounted; atoothed rack 33 fixed to the movable frame 30 and extending in the Xdirection; a pinion 34 meshing with the toothed rack 33; and an electricmotor 35 mounted on the movable base 32 and having an output rotatingshaft with a tip to which the pinion 34 is secured. As the outputrotating shaft of the electric motor 35 is rotated by the operation ofthe electric motor 35, the pinion 34 meshing with the toothed rack 33 isrotated to move the movable base 32 in the X direction, thereby movingthe removing head 11 in the X direction.

[0043] The Y-direction moving device 14 includes a pair of toothed racks40 and 41 which are respectively attached to both ends, in the Xdirection, of the supporting table 16 in such a manner as to extend inthe Y direction; a pair of guide rails 42 and 43 attached to therespective inner sides of the toothed racks 40 and 41 on both ends, inthe X direction, of the supporting table 16 in such a manner as toextend in the Y direction; a pair of pinions 44 and 45 meshing with thetoothed racks 40 and 41, respectively; a rotating shaft 46 to both endsof which the pinions 44 and 45 are respectively secured and whichextends in the X direction; a timing pulley 47 attached to the pinion44; an electric motor 48 mounted on one end of the movable frame 30; anda timing pulley 49 attached to an output rotating shaft of the electricmotor 48 extending in the X direction. The guide rails 42 and 43 arefitted to a slider (not shown) attached to the movable frame 30, so asto guide the movable frame 30 in the Y direction. The rotating shaft 46is attached to the movable frame 30 so as to be rotatable. A timing belt51 is trained between the timing pulleys 47 and 49 via a tension pulley50. As the electric motor 48 is operated, the pinion 44, the rotatingshaft 46, and the pinion 45 are rotated by means of the timing pulleys47 and 49 and the timing belt 51, and the like. This rotation causes thepinions 44 and 45 to move in the Y direction while meshing with thetoothed racks 40 and 41. In conjunction with this movement, the movableframe 30 to which the rotating shaft 46 is attached moves in the Ydirection, which in turn moves the removing head 11 in the Y directionby means of the movable frame 30, the movable base 32, and the like.

[0044] The Y-direction moving device 15 shares the toothed racks 40 and41 and the guide rails 42 and 43 of the Y-direction moving device 14,and includes pinions 54 and 55 meshing with the toothed racks 40 and 41,respectively; a rotating shaft 56 to both ends of which the pinions 54and 55 are respectively secured and which extends in the X direction; atiming pulley 57 attached to the pinion 54; an electric motor 58 mountedon one end of the movable frame 30 a; and a timing pulley 59 attached toan output rotating shaft of the electric motor 58 extending in the Xdirection. The guide rails 42 and 43 are fitted to a slider (not shown)attached to the movable frame 30 a, so as to guide the movable frame 30a in the Y direction. The rotating shaft 56 is attached to the movableframe 30 a so as to be rotatable. A timing belt 61 is trained betweenthe timing pulleys 57 and 59 via a tension pulley 60. As the electricmotor 58 is operated, the pinion 54, the rotating shaft 56, and thepinion 55 are rotated by means of the timing pulleys 57 and 59 and thetiming belt 61, and the like. This rotation causes the pinions 54 and 55to move in the Y direction while meshing with the toothed racks 40 and41. In conjunction with this movement, the movable frame 30 a to whichthe rotating shaft 56 is attached moves in the Y direction, which inturn moves the removing head 11 a in the Y direction by means of themovable frame 30 a, the movable base 32 a, and the like.

[0045] The supporting table 16 has a table 65 having an area forsupporting the entire plane of the other surface 62 of the glass plate 2opposing one surface 12 thereof The table 65 has a plurality of holes500, and these holes 500 are connected to a vacuum suction pump (notshown) through the piping and valves so as to suck under a vacuum theglass plate 2 on the table 65.

[0046] The placing table 80 shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of endlessbelts 201 trained between pulleys 200 and an electric motor 202 forcausing the endless belts 201 to travel. The electric motor 202 iscoupled via a pulley, a belt, and the like 203 to a rotating shaft 204attached to the pulley 200 and extending in the Y direction. As theelectric motor 202 is operated, the rotating shaft 204 is rotated, whichin turn causes the plurality of endless belts 201 to travel in the Xdirection. Since the placing table on the carrying-out side is formed inthe same way as the placing table 80, a description of this placingtable will be omitted.

[0047] The transporting means 6 includes two holding devices 66 forsucking and holding the glass plate 2; two air cylinder units 67 forraising or lowering the holding device 66; and a moving device 68 formoving the air cylinder unit 67 in the X direction. The holding devices66 and the air cylinder units 67 are provided on a slider 78 which willbe described later.

[0048] Each holding device 66 has suction portions (not shown) connectedto a vacuum suction pump (not shown) via the piping and valves. As thevacuum suction pump is operated, the glass plate 2 is sucked and held atits one surface 12 by the suction portions.

[0049] In each air cylinder unit 67, the holding device 66 is attachedto an outer tip of its piston rod extending in the Z direction. Toprevent the glass plate 2 sucked and held by the holding device 66 fromrotating, the piston rod of the air cylinder unit 67 is prevented fromrotating relative to its cylinder and the holding device 66. As the aircylinder unit 67 is actuated, the holding device 66 is raised or loweredin the Z direction.

[0050] The moving device 68 includes an upper frame 73 attached to abase 70 by means of frames 71 and 72 and extending in the X direction; apair of guide rails 74 attached to the upper frame 73 and extending inthe X direction; an electric motor 75 attached to one end of the upperframe 73; a ball screw shaft 77 coupled to an output rotating shaft ofthe electric motor 75 by means of a pulley, a belt, and the like 76 andsupported rotatably on the upper frame 73 via bearings (not shown) atits opposite ends in such a manner as to extend in the X direction; andthe slider 78 to which a ball nut (not shown) threadedly engaged withthe ball screw shaft 77 is secured. Cylinders (not shown) of the aircylinder units 67 are respectively attached to the slider 78 so that theholding devices 66 are respectively located above a central portion ofthe table 65 and above a central portion of the placing table 80. As theelectric motor 75 is operated, the ball screw shaft 77 is rotated bymeans of the pulley, the belt, and the like 76, which in turn moves inthe X direction the slider 78 to which the ball nut threadedly engagedwith the ball screw shaft 77 is secured, thereby causing the aircylinder units 67 mounted on the slider 78 to move in the X direction.

[0051] Through a program stored in advance, the control unit of theapparatus 1 for removing a film layer on a glass plate in accordancewith this embodiment controls the operation of the electric motors 21,21 a, 26, 26 a, 35, 35 a, 48, 58, and 75, the air cylinder units 23 and67, the vacuum suction pumps connected to the plurality of holes in thetable 65 through the piping and valves, and the vacuum suction pumpsconnected to the suction portions of the holding devices 66, so as tocontrol the operation which has been described above and will bedescribed later.

[0052] In the case where the film layer 3 formed on one surface 12 ofthe glass plate 2 is removed by the apparatus 1 for removing a filmlayer on a glass plate in accordance with this embodiment, the regions 7of the glass plate 2 for which the film layer 3 is to be removed aredefined in advance by the control unit in a divided manner as thedivided regions 8 on the side where the removing head 11 is located andthe divided regions 9 on the side where the removing head 11 a islocated in accordance with conditions such as their areas, shapes, theremoval time, and the like. The position in the divided region 8 wherethe removal of the film layer 3 by the removing means 4 is started andthe position in the divided region 9 where the removal of the film layer3 by the removing means 5 is started are respectively determined on thebasis of the shapes of the divided regions 8 and 9 defined in thedivided manner. It should be noted that the control unit may be arrangedto define the regions 7 in a divided manner such that the areas of thedivided regions 8 and 9 respectively assume desired areas, preferablymutually substantially identical areas, or may be arranged to define theregions 7 in a divided manner such that durations of the removal timefor removing the film layer 3 in the divided regions 8 and 9 are set todesired durations, preferably mutually substantially identicaldurations. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit may dividethe regions 7 (portions 7) of the film layer 3 to be removed on theglass plate 2 into an apportioned portion C for which the removal of thefilm layer 3 is apportioned to the removing means 4, an apportionedportion D for which the removal of the film layer 3 is apportioned tothe removing means 5, an apportioned portion E for which the removal ofthe film layer 3 is apportioned to at least one of the removing means 4and 5, and so on. In a case where the removal of the film layer 3 at theapportioned portion E is apportioned to both of the removing means 4 and5, the control unit may control the removing means 4 and 5,respectively, such that the removing heads 11 and 11 a effect theremoval while approaching each other from positions mutually distancedin the Y direction.

[0053] Next, by means of the transporting means 6, the glass plate 2 onthe placing table 80 is sucked and held at its one surface 12, israised, is moved in the X direction, and is lowered, its suction andholding is canceled, and the glass plate 2 is placed on the table 65 ofthe supporting table 16. The glass plate 2 placed on the table 65 issupported at its other surface 62 by being sucked under a vacuum. As theX-direction moving device 13 and the Y-direction moving device 14 areoperated and the X-direction moving device 13 a and the Y-directionmoving device 15 are operated, the removing heads 11 and 11 a on standbyat standby positions which will be described later are moved in the Xdirection and the Y direction within the ranges of the respectivedivided regions 8 and 9, and the grinding wheels 20 and 20 a arerespectively positioned at the positions determined in advance. Thegrinding wheel 20 which has been positioned at the determined positionin the divided region 8 and which is rotating by the rotation of theoutput rotating shaft of the electric motor 21 is lowered by theactuation of the air cylinder unit 23 to bring the cylindrical outerperiphery 25 of the grinding wheel 20 into contact with that determinedposition. The grinding wheel 20 is moved by the operation of theX-direction moving device 13 and the Y-direction moving device 14 whilesubjecting the grinding wheel 20 to angular control by the swivelingmeans 22 so that the grinding wheel 20 maintains a fixed angle withrespect to its advancing direction, thereby grinding and removing thefilm layer 3 in the divided region 8. In parallel with the grinding andremoval of the film layer 3 by the grinding wheel 20, the grinding wheel20 a which has been positioned at the determined position in the dividedregion 9 and which is rotating by the rotation of the output rotatingshaft of the electric motor 21 a is lowered by the actuation of the aircylinder unit 23 a to bring the cylindrical outer periphery 25 a of thegrinding wheel 20 a into contact with that determined position. Thegrinding wheel 20 a is moved by the operation of the X-direction movingdevice 13 a and the Y-direction moving device 15 while subjecting thegrinding wheel 20 a to angular control by the swiveling means 22 a sothat the grinding wheel 20 a maintains a fixed angle with respect to itsadvancing direction, thereby grinding and removing the film layer 3 inthe divided region 9. Namely, the removing means 4 and 5, while beingindividually (mutually independently) controlled by the control unit,concurrently effect the removal of the film layer 3 in the dividedregions 8 and 9 in an apportioned manner. Incidentally, in a case where,in the definition of the regions 7 in a divided manner by the controlunit, the area of one of the divided regions 8 and 9 has been set asbeing 0, e.g., if the area of the divided region 8 is 0, the removingmeans 5 for effecting the removal of the film layer 3 in the dividedregion 9 removes the film layer 3 in the regions 7, and the removingmeans 4 is constantly set on standby. On the other hand, if the area ofthe divided region 9 is 0, the removing means 4 for effecting theremoval of the film layer 3 in the divided region 8 removes the filmlayer 3 in the regions 7, and the removing means 5 is constantly set onstandby. Upon completion of the removal of the film layer 3, theremoving heads 11 and 11 a are respectively moved for standby to theopposite ends, in the Y direction, of the supporting table 16 as theirrespective standby positions by the X-direction moving devices 13 and 13a and the Y-direction moving devices 14 and 15.

[0054] Next, the vacuum suction of the other surface 62 of the glassplate 2 whose film layer 3 has been removed by the removing means 4 and5 is canceled. The glass plate 2 on the table 65 for which the vacuumsuction has been canceled is sucked and held at its one surface 12, israised, is moved in the X direction, and is lowered by the transportingmeans 6. Further, its suction and holding is canceled, the glass plate 2is placed on the placing table on the carrying-out side, and the endlessbelts on this placing table on the carrying-out side are caused totravel, thereby carrying out the glass plate 2, for which the removal ofthe film layer 3 has been performed, from the apparatus 1 for removing afilm layer on a glass plate.

[0055] It should be noted that although, with the above-describedtransporting means 6, the arrangement provided is such that the glassplate 2 is moved in the X direction by the moving device 68, the movingdevice 68 may be arranged, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by disposing theupper frame 73 so as to extend in the Y direction and by providing theslider 78 on the upper frame 73 so as to be movable in the Y direction,and the glass plate-2 may be moved in the Y direction by thetransporting means 6 having such a moving device 68.

[0056] Next, referring to FIG. 8, a description will be given of aglass-plate working apparatus 85 using the above-described apparatus 1for removing a film layer on a glass plate. The glass-plate workingapparatus 85 is comprised of a placing table 170 on the carrying-in sideon which the glass plate 2 to be worked is placed; a placing table (notshown) on the carrying-out side on which the worked glass plate 2 isplaced; the above-described apparatus 1 for removing a film layer on aglass plate; a bend-breaking means 86 for bend-breading the glass plate2 whose film layer 3 has been removed; and a grinding means 87 forgrinding the peripheries of the glass plate 2 bend-broken by thebend-breaking means 86. The transporting means of the apparatus 1 forremoving a film layer on a glass plate is configured as a transportingmeans 88 for transporting the glass plate 2 consecutively to theapparatus 1 for removing a film layer, the bend-breaking means 86, andthe grinding means 87.

[0057] The bend-breaking means 86 includes a cutting means 90 forforming main cut lines 89 for bend-breaking the glass plate 2 whose filmlayer 3 has been removed and a press-breaking means 91 forpress-breaking the glass plate 2, on which the main cut lines 89 havebeen formed, along the main cut lines 89.

[0058] The cutting means 90 includes a cutter head 92, an X-directionmoving device 93 for moving the cutter head 92 in the X direction, aY-direction moving device 94 for moving the cutter head 92 in the Ydirection, and a supporting table 95 for supporting the glass plate 2.

[0059] The cutter head 92 has a cutter wheel, an air cylinder unit 96for raising or lowering the cutter wheel, and a swiveling means 97 forsubjecting the cutter wheel to swiveling control (angular control) sothat its blade constantly maintains a cut-line forming direction. Theswiveling means 97 has an electric motor 100 and a spline shaft which isvertically movable in the Z direction. This spline shaft has a lower endto which the cutter wheel is rotatably attached and an upper end towhich a piston rod of the air cylinder unit 96 extending in the Zdirection is attached.

[0060] The X-direction moving device 93, the Y-direction moving device94, and the supporting table 95 are respectively formed in the same wayas the X-direction moving device 13, the Y-direction moving device 14,and the supporting table 16, respectively, of the above-describedapparatus 1 for removing a film layer on a glass plate. Accordingly, adescription of the X-direction moving device 93, the Y-direction movingdevice 94, and the supporting table 95 will be omitted.

[0061] The press-breaking means 91 includes a pair of press-breakingheads 111 and 11 a for forming edge cut lines 110 and press-breaking theglass plate 2 along the main cut lines 89; an X-direction moving device112 for moving the press-breaking head 111 in the X direction; anX-direction moving device 112 a for moving the press-breaking head 111 ain the X direction; a Y-direction moving device 114 for moving thepress-breaking head 111 in the Y direction; a Y-direction moving device115 for moving the press-breaking head 111 a in the Y direction; and asupporting device 116 for supporting the glass plate 2.

[0062] The press-breaking heads 111 and 111 a are formed in a mutuallysimilar manner, and the X-direction moving devices 112 and 112 a arealso formed in a mutually similar manner. Accordingly, a descriptionwill be given hereafter of the press-breaking head 111 and theX-direction moving device 112, and as for the press-breaking head 111 aand the X-direction moving device 112 a, a reference character ‘a’ willbe added to the reference numerals of their component parts, asrequired, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The press-bending head 111 has an edge-cut-line forming means 118for forming the edge cut lines 110 on the glass plate 2 and a pressingmeans 119 for pressing the glass plate 2, on which the main cut lines 89and the edge cut lines 110 have been formed, along the main cut lines89.

[0064] The edge-cut-line forming means 118 has a cutter wheel, an aircylinder unit for raising or lowering the cutter wheel, and a swivelingmeans consisting of an electric motor for subjecting the cutter wheel toswiveling control (angular control) and a spline shaft which isvertically movable in the Z direction, so that its blade constantlymaintains a cut-line forming direction. This spline shaft has a lowerend to which the cutter wheel is rotatably attached and an upper end towhich a piston rod of the air cylinder unit extending in the Z directionis attached.

[0065] The pressing means 119 includes a push rod and an air cylinderunit 120 having a piston rod which has one end to which the push rod isattached. As the air cylinder unit 120 is actuated, the push rod israised or lowered in the Z direction.

[0066] The X-direction moving device 112, the Y-direction moving device114, and the Y-direction moving device 115 are respectively formed inthe same way as the X-direction moving device 13, the Y-direction movingdevice 14, and the Y-direction moving device 15, respectively, of theabove-described apparatus 1 for removing a film layer on a glass plate.Accordingly, a description of the X-direction moving device 112 and theY-direction moving devices 114 and 115 will be omitted.

[0067] The supporting device 116 includes an electric motor 124 mountedon a base 123; a flexible endless belt 125 which is rotatably supportedon the base 123 by means of a pair of frames extending in the Ydirection and which is trained between a driving-side drum having oneend coupled to an output rotating shaft of the electric motor 124 and adriven-side drum supported rotatably on the base 123 by means of a pairof frames; and a supporting plate which is supported on the base 123 bymeans of the pair of frames and is disposed on the lower surface of theportion of the endless belt 125 traveling above so as to support theportion of the endless belt 125 traveling above. A cullet accommodatingsection 126 is provided at a downstream end of the supporting device116. As for the supporting device 116, to discharge the culletpress-broken by being pressed by the pressing means 119 onto the culletaccommodating section 126, the driven-side drum having one end coupledto the output rotating shaft of the electric motor 124 is rotated by theoperation of the electric motor 124, which in turn causes the endlessbelt 125 to travel. As the endless belt 125 travels, the cullet is movedto the downstream end of the supporting device 116, thereby dischargingthe cullet onto the cullet accommodating section 126.

[0068] The grinding means 87 includes a grinding head 130; anX-direction moving device 132 for moving the grinding head 130 in the Xdirection relative to the glass plate 2; a Y-direction moving device 133for moving the grinding head 130 in the Y direction relative to theglass plate 2; and a table 134 for supporting the glass plate 2.

[0069] The grinding head 130 includes a grinding wheel; an electricmotor having an output rotating shaft to a lower end of which thisgrinding wheel is secured; and a swiveling means 131 for swiveling thegrinding wheel. By rotating the grinding wheel by means of the electricmotor, the peripheries of the glass plate 2 are ground.

[0070] The swiveling means 131 has an electric motor 136 attached to theslider 151 which will be described later.

[0071] The X-direction moving device 132 includes an electric motormounted on an upper frame 150 as well as a ball screw shaft 152supported rotatably by the upper frame 150 and threadedly engaged with aball nut to which the rotation of an output rotating shaft of theelectric motor is transmitted by means of a pulley, a belt, and the likeand which is secured to a slider 151. The ball screw shaft 152 isrotated by the rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor causedby the operation of the electric motor, which in turn moves the slider151 in the X direction, thereby causing the grinding head 130 mounted onthe slider 151 by means of a bracket to move in the X direction.

[0072] The Y-direction moving device 133 includes an electric motor 160mounted on the base 123 as well as a ball screw shaft 161 which iscoupled to an output rotating shaft of the electric motor 160 and isthreadedly engaged with a ball nut secured to the table 134. The table134 is mounted on a pair of guide rails 162, which are provided on thebase 123 and extend in the Y direction in parallel to each other, insuch a manner as to be movable in the Y direction, and the ball screwshaft 161 is rotatably provided on the base 123. As for the Y-directionmoving device 133, the ball screw shaft 161 is rotated by the rotationof the output rotating shaft of the electric motor 160 caused by theoperation of the electric motor 160, which in turn causes the table 134to move in the Y direction. As the table 134 moves in the Y direction,the grinding head 130 is moved in the Y direction relative to the glassplate 2 supported on the table 134.

[0073] The table 134 has a suction unit for sucking the glass plate 2onto its upper surface. As a vacuum suction pump connected to thissuction unit via the piping and valves is operated, the suction unitsucks the glass plate 2 placed on the suction unit and thereby causesthe glass plate 2 to adhere to the suction unit.

[0074] The placing table 170 and the placing table on the carrying-outside where the worked glass plate 2 is placed are formed in a mutuallysimilar manner. Accordingly, a description will be given below of theplacing table 170, and a description of the placing table on thecarrying-out side will be omitted.

[0075] The placing table 170 has a plurality of endless belts 175trained between pulleys 174 and an electric motor 176 for causing theendless belts 175 to travel. The electric motor 176 is coupled to arotating shaft 178 attached to the pulley 174 by means of a pulley, abelt, and the like 177 in such a manner as to extend in the Y direction.As the electric motor 176 is operated, the rotating shaft 178 isrotated, which in turn causes the plurality of endless belts 175 totravel in the X direction.

[0076] The transporting means 88 includes five holding devices 171 forsucking and holding the glass plates 2, five air cylinder units 172 forraising or lowering the holding devices 171, respectively; and a movingdevice 173 for moving the air cylinder units 172 in the X direction, theholding devices 171 and the air cylinder units 172 being provided on themoving device 173.

[0077] The moving device 173 is formed in the same way as theabove-described moving device 68. Accordingly, a description will begiven below of only mounting portions of the air cylinder units 172 ofthe moving device 173.

[0078] Cylinders of the air cylinder units 172 are attached to theslider 78 of the moving device 173 at the same intervals in the Ydirection, such that the holding devices 171 are respectively locatedabove a central portion of the placing table 170, a central portion ofthe supporting table 16, a central portion of the supporting table 95, acentral portion of the supporting table 116, and the suction unitattached to the table 134.

[0079] In the glass-plate working apparatus 85, the removal of the filmlayer by the apparatus 1 for removing a film layer on a glass plate, thebend-breaking by the bend-breaking means 86 including cutting by thecutting means 90 and press-breaking by the press-breaking means 91, andgrinding by the grinding means 87 are respectively effected with respectto separate glass plates 2 concurrently. It should be noted that theglass-plate working apparatus 85 is preferably used for working theglass plates 2 which are used for window glass for vehicles.

[0080] With the present invention, it is possible to provide a method ofand an apparatus for removing a film layer in a specific region of aglass plate in a short time, and a glass-plate working apparatus havingthat apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of removing a film layer on a glass plate, comprising the steps of: defining in a divided manner a region of a film layer to be removed on a glass plate; and concurrently effecting removal of the film layer on the glass plate in an apportioned manner with respect to respective divided regions defined in the divided manner.
 2. The method of removing a film layer on a glass plate according to claim 1, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in a divided manner in accordance with at least any one of conditions including its area, shape, and removal time.
 3. The method of removing a film layer on a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided manner such that areas of the respective divided regions assume mutually substantially identical areas.
 4. The method of removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided manner such that durations of removal time for removing the film layer in the respective divided regions are set to mutually substantially identical durations.
 5. The method of removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a position at which the removal of the film layer is started in each of the divided regions is determined in accordance with the shape of each of the divided regions.
 6. An apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate, comprising: at least first and second removing means for removing a film layer on a glass plate, wherein a region of a film layer to be removed on a glass plate is defined in a divided manner, and with respect to respective divided regions defined in the divided manner the removal of the film layer on the glass plate is effected concurrently by being apportioned to said first and second removing means.
 7. The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to claim 6, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided manner in accordance with at least any one of conditions including its area, shape, and removal time.
 8. The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided manner such that areas of the respective divided regions assume mutually substantially identical areas.
 9. The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the region of the film layer to be removed on the glass plate is defined in the divided manner such that durations of removal time for removing the film layer in the respective divided regions are set to mutually substantially identical durations.
 10. The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a position at which the removal of the film layer is started in each of the divided regions by said first and second removal means is determined in accordance with the shape of each of the divided regions.
 11. The apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising: transporting means for transporting the glass plate, wherein said first and second removing means respectively have grinding wheels for grinding and removing the film layer on the glass plate, said grinding wheels being arranged on both sides of a path for transporting the glass plate by said transporting means.
 12. A glass-plate working apparatus comprising: said apparatus for removing a film layer on a glass plate according to any one of claims 6 to 10; bend-breaking means for bend-breaking a glass plate whose film layer has been removed; grinding means for grinding peripheries of the glass plate bend-broken by said bend-breaking means; and transporting means for transporting the glass plate consecutively to said apparatus for removing a film layer, said bend-breaking means, and said grinding means.
 13. The glass-plate working apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said bend-breaking means includes cutting means for forming a cut line for bend-breaking the glass plate whose film layer has been removed and press-breaking means for press-breaking along the cut line the glass plate on which the cut line has been formed.
 14. The glass-plate working apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said first and second removing means respectively have grinding wheels for grinding and removing the film layer on the glass plate, said grinding wheels being arranged on both sides of a path for transporting the glass plate by said transporting means. 